BILSAT-1: A low-cost, agile, earth observation microsatellite for Turkey

TUBITAK-BILTEN has initiated a project to develop and propagate small satellite technologies in Turkey. As part of this initiative, TUBITAK-BILTEN is working with SSTL to develop a 100kg class enhanced microsatellite, BILSAT-1. With the successful completion of this project, TUBITAK-BILTEN will be capable of producing its own satellites, covering all phases from design to production and in-orbit operation. It is hoped that acquisition of these technologies will stimulate Turkish industry into greater involvement in space related activities. The project was started in August 2001 and will run through to February 2003 with launch scheduled for July 2003. BILSAT-1 will be one of the most capable satellites that SSTL have ever built and features several technologies normally only found on larger satellites. Specifically, the Attitude Determination and Control System of BILSAT-1 will be the most advanced that SSTL have ever flown: Dual redundant Star Cameras, sun sensors and rate gyros provide accurate and precise attitude information allowing a very high degree of attitude knowledge. Actuators on board will make the satellite extremely agile - for instance, allowing fast slew manoeuvres about its roll and pitch axes. The agile control system also enables ground target revisit times to be reduced compared to nadir-pointing gravity gradient stabilized satellites, and will allow stereoscopic imaging, target tracking and multiple attitude imaging to be undertaken with the satellites prime payloads: a 4-band multispectral 26-metre GSD imaging system and a 12-metre GSD panchromatic imager. Also on board the satellite there are additional payloads, including a state-of-the-art Digital Signal Processing payload (GEZGIN) that will enable real time image compression in JPEG2000 format using a high performance floating point DSP, and a low resolution multi spectral (9-band) camera (COBAN). BILSATI will also co-operate in the international Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC) led by SSTL, providing the ability to enhance the imaging capabilities of the constellation. In parallel with the microsatellite design and build activities, all the infrastructure required to design, produce and operate a satellite is being constructed at BILTEN's prerruses in Turkey. This infrastructure includes assembly and integration rooms, a PCB prototyping workshop, research and development laboratories, and a satellite mission control ground station. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.